Who Is Scott Austin?

So we’re t-plus 72 hours into 2010 and I have already discovered 3 things that I should have in 2009!

First, the RedBox DVD rental device. This very 2009, maybe even 2008 invention blew my mind yesterday, offering up over a hundred amazing dvd movies for just a buck, without having to deal with a line at the rental store or having to wait for the mail man via netflix. All in all, a win-win, thank you RedBox:

Second, and directly related to the RedBox, the Tom Cruise-led Valkyrie. This is EXACTLY my kind of movie. I’ll admit, I went into the second act a bit skeptical of the depiction of actual German events acted out entirely in English, but I quickly got over my fears. This movie is incredible, and exactly the kind of strategy-thriller I would expect from the man who could pull off the lead in both Jerry Maguire and Vanilla Sky in the same decade. I only wish I had seen it in theaters. God bless RedBox.

Finally, and only because we are staying on topic, we also rented Up. Pixar rarely disappoints, and I’m convinced that they’re target audience is adults, not kids. This one may prove the point even more so, with a storyline that starts off as nothing less than a bit “adult”, even dark, but rewards with colorful and otherworldy animation and a storyline finale that should make even the most hardened soul tear up. Bravo!

Ok, so with approximately 24 hours of vacation time left, and after a terrific meal/drinks outing with good friends Devil Ash and beau Christopher at Silverlake’s fabulous Malo Restaurant, I am back in the lair speaking of a great technological find that dispenses great new films at great prices, all whilst sipping a freshly tapped Heineken courtesy of other great invention (and recent Xmas gift from smASH) the Krups Beertender. Cheers!

So after much contemplation and soul searching, I’ve decided to bring back the WISA blog! After taking a much needed break from, well, myself, I’ve decided that it’s time to jump back into the blogosphere and journal some of the more exciting things going on around me.  I know that millions of fans have missed my musings, so I am happy to oblige those that just haven’t been able to see the sky the same way since my regular ramblings ceased!

If you know me, you know I’m not a “Facebooker” or “Tweeter” and since I have decided that most people’s status updates are nothing more than meaningless banter about almost entirely self-important issues, I promise to keep things as interesting as possible without appearing to “gloat” that special sheen.

So on that note, smASH and I are off to catch a sweet turn o’ the decade hang with Octavio, Jess, Scotty P, Janice, K. Lee, Bobby and whoever else we run into at the swanky new Palihouse Hotel in West Hollywood so stop in for a drink if you’re around!

Happy New Year’s Eve Everyone!

Another year, another trek to the annual South By Southwest Music fest in Austin, Texas. As usual, I am going to skip the bla bla blogging and go right to the pics!

Bloody Mary’s with The Kin at the BMI Brunch @ Four Seasons

Charging up with Dear Future on some AMP, courtesy of the AMP rolling ice chest girl

Strolling down 6th with …

Waiting for another meeting, are you seeing a pattern here?

(p.s. shot over 4 days so give me a break!)

Time for the (?!)th annual Holiday Party hosted this year by Scott Austin, Authentik Artists, Ashley Ihasz, Octavio Gallardo and Jessica Reynolds. If you know the location of Authentik HQ, then make your way there for what is sure to be the biggest and best Holiday Party we’ve ever thrown…

As always, this is sure to be THE most talked about event of the century, and it wouldn’t be the same without you so make sure to make an appearance and toast another amazing year with some good friends…

Cheers!

Congrats to the unstoppable force that is smASH on her first official gallery showing…  The Hollywood Blvd. Gallery was full of freaks, geeks and chics alike with the cocktails flowing and good vibes abound.

Here’s smASH talking to a potential customer:

And though the highlight of the night was smASH basking in the glory, there was also this:

 Life Imitating Art.

So on what would be a tropical day anywhere but here (it was high 60’s), we got to celebrate Thanksgiving the way it was meant to be celebrated… Under sunny California skies.

Rok was largely responsible for the cooking of the feast (including the tastiest, BBQ-roasted turkey I’ve ever had), with only a small gathering to celebrate the holiday in style.

Photo credit: Scott Austin

Scott with Turkey on BBQ (WTF???!!!)

Scott with Sis

The Crew (L to R: Sis, Janice, Scotty P., Mom(s), Jess, Roktavio)

Gobble Gobble!

Special thanks to our friends at InGrooves for throwing a great party at Lola’s last night. It was good to see old friends DJ extraordinaire Paul Oakenfold, Christian B and DK from Subculture, Mike Burns, Jeff Safran from Fontana and all of our friends at Strategic…

Good times had by all…

I have seen hundreds of shows in my career spanning everyone from the local bar band to U2, Radiohead, Coldplay, Fleetwood Mac, Aerosmith, Christina Aguilera, Rod Stewart and others, but as of tonight everything pales in comparison to the one I saw last night.

Thanks to smASH, we scored about the most amazing seats one can get to Neil Diamond at the Hollywood Bowl!!! Fourth row, CENTER! So close we could touch him!

This was one of the greatest Performances I have ever seen and is a reinforcement of music’s need for iconic rockstars!

Our journey is chronicled below:

Start with 2 Martinis and a healthy snack:

Take a quick stroll up the hill to the Hollywood Bowl:

Find out you’re sitting 6 feet from Neil in an audience of 18,000:

Sing it Neil:

Give us more:

I’m pleased to announce that I have been asked to moderate “It’s Broken, Fix It”, a panel featuring multi-platinum Record Producer/Record Mogul Dallas Austin (Madonna, TLC, Pink, Kelis), Steve Yegelwel, President, S-Curve Records and other industry leaders at the 2008 CMJ Music Festival taking place in New York City next month.

This is the first year I’ve been asked to speak at a coveted CMJ engagement and I am truly honored. I am proud to add this amazing focal point to the growing list of opportunities where those in the know including EXTRA, G4 TV, Style Network, Music Connection Magazine and others, have asked my advice on music industry issues.

If you’re going to be at CMJ in NYC this year, hit me up and let’s grab a cocktail.

Was great to get a last minute call from old friend and the smartest entrepreneur in the music business Jason Flom to grab a bite at the always impressive Polo Lounge at the Beverly Hills Hotel last night… If the salmon special weren’t enough, we had the pleasure of dining next to Sharon Osbourne whom I hadn’t seen since watching Elton John perform in her and Ozzy’s backyard a few years back!

And to pour further salt in the wounds, I’m off to a special VIP tasting at the soon-to-be-opened Morton’s Beverly Hills tonight.

Please, no press this time, I’m too spoiled.

OK, maybe one stock shot of the hotel’s magnificent pool: